Michigan lawmakers approve minimum-wage increase to $9.25 per hour

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Michigan lawmakers approve minimum-wage increase to $9.25 per hour
By Reuters
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 21:08 EDT

(Reuters) – Michigan lawmakers on Tuesday voted to raise the minimum wage to $9.25 per hour by 2018, joining other U.S. states and municipalities that have considered increases in the minimum wage this year.

The increase in the minimum wage was approved by bipartisan votes in both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature. The House vote was 76 to 34, while the Senate vote was 24 to 12.

The bill was expected to be signed later on Tuesday by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.
“This is something that is good for Michigan,” Snyder told a news conference. “It’s good for the hard-working people of Michigan and I believe economically sound.”

The bill ties the state’s minimum wage to the rate of inflation starting in 2019, capped at 3.5 percent per year. The legislation sets the minimum wage for workers earning tips such as waiters at 38 percent of the minimum wage for non-tipped workers.


Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/27/michigan-lawmakers-approve-minimum-wage-increase-to-9-25-per-hour/

[Rhymes With Orange]

1. $9.25 isn't enough for a living wage.

I thought we were trying to get at least $15. $9.25 just isn't going to cut it.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Seems strange, absolutely! Must be the Republican governor's deadly influence. n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

3. Gotta keep you poor so Republicans can claim "those people" in Detroit are to blame.

[Jimbo S]

15. They voted on a minimum wage

not a living wage. Two separate things.

[Ash_F]

4. By 2018.

ppffft

[Purveyor]

5. Done: Snyder Signs Minimum Wage Hike To $9.25; Workers May See Raise By Sept. 1

LANSING — It took all day to reach a compromise on raising the minimum wage to $9.25 per hour. But once a deal was reached, it passed both the House and the Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder in less than one hour.

Michigan’s low-wage workers could see their pay scale start to increase as early as Sept. 1. The wage will gradually increase to $9.25 per hour by 2018, and it would be linked to the rate of inflation in Midwestern states under a compromise bill that received final passage in the House by a 76-34 vote and by a 24-12 margin in the Senate.

“It’s great to see success like this in the Legislature,” said Snyder. “This was a great exercise in bipartisanship.”

The quick passage came so the bill can become law before a group pushing for a $10.10 minimum wage turns in its signatures to get that rate on the November ballot. The Raise Michigan coalitions, which spearheaded the petition drive, still plans to turn more than 300,000 signatures into the Secretary of State on Wednesday. But the petitions become moot because the law the initiative is trying to change was repealed by the Legislature today.

“I’m going to support this with a heavy heart. I don’t believe the government has a place in adjusting wages in our society,” said state Rep. Pete Pettalia, R-Presque Isle. “But the alternative is terrible. Proposals before us would lose many more jobs in northern Michigan.”

more...

http://www.freep.com/article/20140527/NEWS06/305270078/Snyder-signs-minimum-wage-hike-9-25-workers-may-see-raise-by-Sept-1

[Rod Beauvex]

6. Ugh.

See. What's going to happen is that these bills are going to be passed for this piddly wage increases, which will be locked to inflation, which isn't bad in itself good but I bet after this there will be no more wage increases will ever be passed, based on the argument of: Oh, it goes up every year.

We've been had.

We need a 15 dollar minimum TODAY, and THAT should be increased with inflation every year.

[MrGreens]

7. It's a start at least

More would be better.

[paleotn]

8. Political window dressing. Nothing more. (nt)

[caraher]

9. We need more, but this is something

Perhaps action at the national level will leapfrog this inadequate hike... with Snyder in the governor's mansion there was no chance for $15

[Demeter]

10. What is happening in Michigan

Enough signatures were collected to put Michigan's minimum wage immediately at $10.10 with immediate index to inflation...for November's ballot.

So the GOP sought to invalidate the petition drive by pre-emptively passing this half-a-loaf nonsense that won't hit that $10.10 rate for another 6 years, at least.

Michigan's desperate people are hoping that the courts will still permit the petition on the ballot. There is some precedent for the bill the GOP-controlled govt. just passed wiping out the petition effort.

We have to wait and see.

[MissMillie]

11. By 2018, $9.25 won't be worth jack squat

but at least it's tied into the rate of inflation.

[surrealAmerican]

12. That's what I'm thinking, and also ...

... the very slow phase-in gives them plenty of time to repeal this after the election.

[albino65]

13. It's a cop-out

I am very suspect at politicians proactively raising the minimum wage to the $9-$10 range. This will do very little to lift people from poverty. It might spur some spending, but it will not allow single earner families to flourish. If the politicians really want to reduce the welfare roles, really boost the economy, and really cut crime, then they need to support a $15 minimum wage. Anything else is disingenuous. I am tired of the "take what you can get" mentality. If they paid a living wage to tipped workers, maybe we wouldn't have to tip.

My problem with $10 is that it will cut off all conversation about paying a living wage and takes the politicians off the hook. They know this is a sham. It will be phased in over time and by the time it kicks in fully, inflation will have killed it. After that, whenever the minimum wage is brought up, the politicians will say "we've already given you that." At $9.25 per hour, assuming a 40 hour week, a worker will make $21,008 per year. This is still under the federal poverty guidelines for a family of 4. That family is still on food stamps, receiving housing assistance, and Medicade. At $15.00 per hour, that same worker is making $31,200 per year. Perhaps that allows one parent to stay at home during a child's very young years, avoid food stamps and pay for health insurance under the ACA. There are at least 10 CEO's of major corporations that are making $15.000 per hour. I'm tired of paying corporate welfare.

[onecent]

14. 2018????????? Hell by then it will need to be

$20.00 per hour

[yellowcanine]

16. $9.25 WHOA!!!! NOT

This is a "Let them eat cake" pittance.